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Category: Organization

Using my Bullet Journal for the Last Six Months | Review

Happy 2018! I cannot believe 2017 is over – I think it’s the fastest year that’s gone by for me. It’s crazy that this is the year that I’m graduating from college.

Along with a new year came getting organized for it, which included cleaning my room (a work in progress) and setting up my bullet journal. I’ll have a video and post up about that setup soon, but first I wanted to have a reflection/review post of using the bullet journal system fro six months. First off, it’s crazy to think I’ve been using it for six months!

As I mentioned in my last post, I’ve been heavily relying on my bullet journal to stay organized and it’s definitely been a life saver for school. Finals week for fall quarter of 2017 was probably the most organized one I’ve had because I had my bullet journal to stay on track with studying and due dates.

I’ve decided to break up the review into different categories so it’s easier to understand what it’s all about, and see all my thoughts about it!

Functionality

This is definitely the most important part – to me – of a bullet journal, or any planner for that matter. Before I started bullet journaling I was using regular planners that I bought from Target or Nordstrom to stay organized, and they worked just fine. I wanted the ability to personalize it more, though, and be creative while staying organized.

I have found the bullet journal system to be very efficient. The “guidelines” are just that: advice on how to stay organized instead of strict rules that make you adhere to the system fully. You can change up the symbols, not use all of them, or stick to the pre-made ones. I more or less stuck to the set symbols of the bullet journal system (read more about those here) and I found them to fit into my planner pretty seamlessly, and they were easy to get used to.

As for the monthly and weekly spreads, you have a lot of freedom to be as detailed as you want. If you want extensive layouts for the week, or different trackers and various pages for the month, you can definitely do that, but if you want to stay more simple that’s perfectly fine. I found myself switching between detailed and simple a lot depending on how much time I had to make the spread, and how much space I thought I would need for busier or calmer weeks. During school I have more detailed spreads, but over the summer when it was just work I could do some more simple spreads. Over winter break I didn’t bother to have weekly spreads because I was pretty much just working out, sleeping, or watching Harry Potter.

I love the freedom the BuJo’s give you for organizing your life, and it makes them very functional. The fact that it also serves as a journal, cost/health/habit tracker, random idea journal, and whatever else you want it to be, really makes it special and convenient.

Personalization

One of the reasons I initially started bullet journaling was so I could have more creative freedom with my planner. I was tired of buying a planner with one “theme” and would get bored of it throughout the year. With my bullet journal, I’m excited to come up with new themes for the month, and I can make them as detailed with doodles as I want. I stayed pretty simple in the beginning and didn’t go overboard with themes, and I think this was a good way to go about starting a bullet journal because it wasn’t too overwhelming.

One of my favorite monthly themes and cover page!
As with functionality, you have a lot of choice on how your bullet journal turns out and how it’s decorated – or not. You can do simple spreads with clean lines, or you can add some doodles and art to it and give it some personality. I really love doing this because I don’t have a whole lot of time in college to draw or paint like I used to, so this gives me a creative outlet and a chance to sit down and relax. It’s therapeutic sitting down on Sunday afternoon and setting up the week ahead and just letting myself be creative for a bit without the pressure of wanting to create art when I’m not necessarily feeling inspired.

There’s a lot of structure to pre-made planners, but with bullet journals you can organize your weeks however you want, and like I said earlier, use it for things like journal entries or lists. I’ve done this with packing lists before and it’s nice to have it cataloged for future use, and it’s also nice to have a quick written reflection on months.

Quality

These last two sections are particularly for the bullet journal I have, which is the Leuchtturm1917 bullet journal. I know a lot of people who use this journal, but there’s a lot of options out there, especially as bullet journaling becomes more popular! I chose this journal because I like the classic look of it, and it’s nice that there’s the stretchy cord thing (does anyone know what this is called…?) to keep it closed since I keep it in my backpack most of the time. I’m super impressed with how the cover has held up in my backpack as well, there’s not a lot of wear on it at all.

This was all watercolor, and the pages held up really well!

The pages are also thick enough that I haven’t had any pens bleed through, only a couple of my water-based lettering pens when I go over a spot too many times with the color. They also work nicely with watercolor, which I use occasionally for monthly cover pages. The dots on the pages are pretty standard, and I don’t know if there’s much variation between journals that different companies make.

There’s also nice folders in the back to put loose paper in the journal, and a couple bookmarks attached so you can keep your place, or mark an important page.

Overall, I’m really satisfied with how this journal has lasted for the last six months!

Another watercolor heavy page that held up just fine!

Cost

Again, this section mostly pertains to the particular journal I have, which I feel is reasonably priced at around $24. I got it on Amazon so shipping was free and it arrived quickly!
For all the other pens I use, I tend to buy them on Amazon as well or at Michael’s, which always has coupons to use. I just want to specify that you do not need to buy fancy pens to use a bullet journal; all you need is a pen and journal! You can make it as cheap or inexpensive as you want. I happen to love art anyway so I don’t mind investing in supplies for it because I also use them for other projects.

If you do want to buy a lot of cool supplies, I suggest watching for deals at craft stores, and like I mentioned before, if you just search “Michael’s coupons” there’s always some pretty great ones available to use. Target is also a great option to get markers, and I personally love using the Crayola Supertips markers because they’re pretty nice and inexpensive!
I’m really glad I decided to start my bullet journal six months ago, and I’m excited to continue using it in 2018! It’s been so helpful to keep my senior year organized, and it’s quickly become my best friend and something I use everyday. If you’re wanting to get organized for 2018, then I definitely recommend starting a bullet journal! 

How to Succeed in College: The Ultimate Packing List + Move-in Tips!

I remember one of the scariest parts before leaving for college freshman year was making sure I had everything I needed. I made multiple lists, pinned a ton, and still ended up forgetting things. My mom is the ultimate packer, though, and got the things I forgot (thanks mom!) luckily. My dad, of course, gave me such a hard time about having a lot of stuff, but hey I was prepared for anything. The feeling of forgetting something doesn’t ever go away from me, but once I made a master list of all that I would need for my dorm, I felt a lot better.

Since I found the list so helpful, I decided to make a digital copy for you guys, so you can use it yourselves! I found packing lists on Pinterest to be really useful, but I wanted to make one with all the things I know that I ended up using after Freshman year. Now a senior, I feel like I have the packing thing down pretty well and know what I’ll end up needing!

Below is both a photo and PDF version of the list I made – print it out and use it how you’d like!

I didn’t want to stop there, though, and wanted to give you some tips on moving in, since a lot of people will be doing that soon and are feeling the stress that moving brings! College honestly just feels like a constant state of moving, and I actually just moved myself into my friend’s apartment for the summer, and I’ll be moving into my new apartment in September. Yay moving!!! (I’ve come to hate it so much). Since I’ve been moving so much these past couple of years – in and out of dorms, and my family moved about a year and a half ago – I want to share what really helps me.


1. This may sound obvious, but make sure you stay well hydrated and fed.
Moving is already terrible enough – add in thirst and hunger and you have a recipe for disaster. I will be the first to admit that I get hangry, so for the sake of my family I try and have snacks available so no one (me) starts getting unnecessarily angry. It’s also the worst when you’re super thirsty and having to do a bunch of manual labor (moving is hard!), so make sure you have plenty of water. If anyone is helping you move, it’s also nice to make sure they have food and water!

2. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
While moving, you are going to get hot and sweaty. There’s really no getting around that, unfortunately. To help with this, make sure you wear clothes that will let your skin breath, and won’t be super uncomfortable when you’re having to bend down a lot and pick up boxes and move random things. I also can’t stress how important it is to wear comfy shoes! I made the mistake of wearing a newer pair of sandals that I thought were really comfortable but ended up being a little bit too big, so once my feet started getting a little sweaty (hey, it happens), I got a blister on my heal from the friction. By the end of the day, my feet were absolutely killing me, and all I wanted to do was soak them in hot water.

3. Enlist help
Beg, plead, and bribe your friends and family to help you move. It’s hard work, and you’ll be glad you have the help. Like I said earlier, offer to buy them pizza, coffee, or their favorite food to get them to help you. My parents and boyfriend are the sweetest and graciously helped me move, and I know a lot of my friends ask their family to help, too.

4. Start packing well before the move.
I try and not procrastinate on things, but since I hate packing and moving so much I always wait too long to do so. I packed up my apartment a couple of days before I moved, and ended up staying up till, like, three in the morning and moved the next day. Don’t do this! Learn from my mistakes! Start packing a week or two in advance, depending on how much stuff you want to bring to your dorm. Try and make it as easy as possible on yourself, even if you hate packing like I do. I’ve definitely learned my lesson, and since I know I’ll be moving again soon, I haven’t unpacked a ton of my boxes because I know I’ll just have to pack up all of the stuff again.

5. To help with packing, go through your stuff and get rid of anything you don’t use.
I still need to do this, because as I was packing I realized I have a lot of junk that I really don’t need. I especially need to go through my closet, but being at college is weird because you have some stuff at home, and some stuff at your closet at school, and it’s all kind of a jumbled mess. To lessen the load, though, it really helps to go through your stuff and get rid of unnecessary items that you know you won’t be using at your dorm. You can donate the stuff to places like Goodwill, and someone down the road will use it!

6. Label what’s in your boxes, with a lot of detail.
I like to label my boxes with as much detail as possible, and list a lot of what’s in the box. Oftentimes I’ll label bigger items that are in there so I’ll hopefully remember what all I ended up putting in the box. This really helps for the unpacking process so you know where to put which boxes, and so you don’t end up losing anything. Also, it’s really helpful to know if you won’t need to open a box as soon as you get to your dorm, so you can save some time unpacking and spend it getting to know people on your floor, instead.

7. If you can, use a cart or dolly of some sort to move boxes.
Again, this is fairly obvious, but sometimes you have to reserve a moving cart or dolly in advance, so it’s important to keep in mind! Having one of these is really useful and makes the unloading part of moving go a lot smoother and quicker. Alternatively, if you or someone you know has a dolly, definitely ask if you can use it because it makes it easier to move boxes around quickly, and they’re of course a lot lighter to move.

8. Keep your clothes on the hanger and just bag them up.
This is super nice because you can quickly hang them back up in your dorm closet, and you don’t have to waste time folding and unfolding clothes. I did this my freshman year, and I’ve been doing it ever since!

9. Coordinate with your roommate(s) about move-in dates.
If you aren’t already assigned a move-in date and time, make sure you talk to your future roommate and ask them when they’ll be moving in. This is just nice so you know if you should go earlier or later to avoid two people trying to move in at once, each with a ton of boxes. My roommate was assigned an earlier move-in time, so it was really nice to not have to worry about running into someone else moving boxes at the same time.

10. Keep any decorations you’ll want to use soon handy.
I didn’t do this my freshman year, and I really wish I had at least kept my photos handy. I ended up feeling really homesick the first couple of days so it would’ve been really nice to have photos of my friends and family handy. If you know what sort of decorations you want to put in your dorm, make sure to keep them on the top of a box, or somewhere that’s really easy to get to so you can start making the place feel like home! It’s important to do this soon, especially if you’re a person who gets homesick really easily.

Alright, those are my tips on moving into your college dorm, and a packing list! I hope this post was helpful, and that it eases your nerves just a little bit. I remember how I felt freshman year, and it really helped to know I was prepared to move in. It’s crazy that it’s already August, and that people are going to start moving into their dorms soon!

Also, check out the video I did of this below!

Do you have any moving tips?

Thank you so much for reading, and have a wonderful day! 🙂

Why I Started a Bullet Journal + How to Start Your Own!

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of organization, and that I have a mild obsession with my planner. I’ve been seeing bullet journals around Pinterest and Instagram for a couple of years now, and I really don’t know why it took me so long to start one. I decided to finally check into them more, and hours on Pinterest and YouTube later, I had ordered a journal and some notebooks.

I hadn’t known that bullet journals were not only planners, but actual journals as well – silly, I know. I personally have (or had, now) a planner, a separate journal for my thoughts, and another journal for goals/ideas. Obviously I couldn’t carry around all three, so I’d usually just carry my planner around with me. My phone is full of notes and ideas since I didn’t always have my “ideas” journal with me, so it would result in a lot of lists later that I couldn’t really make sense of.

With my bullet journal, I can have designated pages that are solely for lists and ideas, or anything else I’d like to put in there. I really like the creative freedom you can have with bullet journals, and that you can follow the system loosely and make up your own rules. I’ve found it’s been great to sit down on Sunday afternoon and figure out the week ahead, and see what all I have to do. It’s quickly become a part of my weekly and daily routine to set up the week on Sunday and get ready, and then come back after work and update my journal.

Another part I love about bullet journaling are the different “trackers.” Currently I have a habit tracker and mood tracker, and I think next month I’ll add in an expense tracker, too. Visually checking in with my goals for the month and year has been helping so much in keeping myself accountable, and it’s cool to see them fill in. I love filling in those little boxes, so it keeps me motivated, too! This has also been great in setting realistic goals, and also seeing where I can push a little more to set a higher goal.

So far I’ve been keeping my journal relatively simple, but I’m excited to become more creative in the future. I love drawing and painting, so my bullet journal will be a great place to be able to do that in, since I don’t have a whole lot of time to dedicate to that. I really love how you can get super creative and elaborate with bullet journals or keep it simple if you like!

How to start your own bullet journal

I just want to first say that I’m still a beginner at this – so take what I say with a grain of salt! These are just the tips I’ve picked up from all the reading and watching I’ve done about bullet journals. It’s really daunting to set up your bullet journal at first because there’s so many photos out there of really elaborate journals, but it isn’t as difficult as it looks! 
Start with a key


I saw a couple of people do this, and it’s been really helpful! Putting the key on some thicker paper and then taping it into the inside of the cover has been really useful to have it on whatever page I’m on. The actual bullet journal system is easy once you get the hang of it, but it can be a tad confusing at the beginning. I mixed up the “event” and “task” bullet a lot in the beginning – I still do – so this has been really helpful in remedying that.
Move onto the future log


The future log is really important for your bullet journal, because it allows you to see the year at a glance and write in important events. So far I’ve mainly written down birthday’s and holiday’s, but as time goes on there’s more and more to put in the log. I added little doodles for each month to give it some personality, too!

Then, of course, you’ll need an index


This is really self-explanatory, but the index just helps you keep your journal organized. It’s important to keep track of all of the pages so you can come back to important ones, or yearly logs. With the journal I got, the index is already in there, which is super convenient. I left a couple of pages after the pre-made ones just in case I need more, since I’ve heard people run out of space.

Put in any yearly logs you want, or anything else you’ll want to come back to a lot


For these I put in my half-yearly goals and the books that I want to read this year (I still have to integrate these from my good reads account), since I know I’ll be referencing these a lot. It was really nice that I started my bullet journal in July since it means I have an even six months left in the year, and I was able to check in on the goals I set for this year. A lot of people put in pages like “movies to watch” or “things to keep track of,” but you can really put whatever you want. It’s your journal!
With that, here’s my first monthly spread!

I decided to go with a vertical calendar for the month, which was really nice to keep track of my personal life and blog/YouTube stuff, but I did find myself wanting a larger calendar so I had a more wholistic view of everything. Honestly, I’m a calendar junkie so I should’ve known better that I’d be missing it.

Next are my monthly goals and stats. I really like this page since both sections are based around goals, but I feel like I can fit in a third section to fill up more space, whatever that might be. I’ll play around with it next month and see what I’m feeling!

Then we have the trackers, habits and mood. I saw so many people do this, and I love the idea! I’ve been keeping myself so much more accountable because I actually have to track these things on the daily, so I’m much more motivated to follow through with them. The mood tracker is also really cool so I can see how my emotions fluctuate throughout the month depending on what happens in a day.


Finally, in the initial July pages, is the idea page. I intended for this page to be for whatever I was feeling or thinking about, but it actually really is just an idea page, which I both like and dislike. I think for August I’ll turn it into a “brain dump” page, so I feel like I can write more than ideas for blog posts and videos. We’ll see how it goes!
Now time for some of my weekly spreads!

This was my first weekly spread with some little daisy detailing at the bottom. I really loved how the bottom turned out, I thought it added something really cute to the page since it was so blank at first! Like I said earlier, I was trying to keep this month pretty simple, so I didn’t want to go to crazy on the daisy theme. I think less ended up being more this month!

This was my second weekly spread, and I decided to put a little calendar in the corner this time, and I really ended up loving that. I didn’t have to keep looking at the calendar in the future log or on my phone to see a whole view of the month, so it was really nice. It was really quick and simple to do, and added something to the blank corner under Sunday.
Here are some extra pages I added in for the summer!

I wanted to put in a summer bucket list so I could try and actually do some fun things this summer other than work. the title is simple but super cute, and I’m really happy with how it came out! The banner reminds me of the lanes in Brighton when I was studying abroad last summer, and I love the baby blue.

Here’s a closer look! I plan on continuing to add things to the list and (hopefully) checking them off, so we’ll see how it goes!

Just as I want to make sure I do things this summer, I also want to track what makes me happy! I actually ended up added some yellow to the “happy” to make it a little brighter, but overall I’m happy with how simple it is. I want to make sure I’m really present this summer in everything I do, as well as grateful for all of the great things that happen.


These are some of the supplies I’ve been using

I really love this Signo Uni-ball pen! It comes in a pack of three which is really great, and is only $6 so it’s a great deal. This is useful for covering up any little mistakes I make, and it’s also fun to make a little black box and put white text over it to change it up!

I’ve had this Tombow brush pen for a while now, and I love it so much. This one came in a pack of two: one “hard” tip and a “soft” tip pen. It’s really nice that there’s two different pens for some variety, and to use them for different things! 

Sharpie pens have been my go-to pen for years now. I love how fine the tip is and how dark the black is – it’s great for writing small block letters, or adding fine details to drawings or paintings.

I got these washi tapes at Target for around $3 each, and I really love them! They’re different from the regular floral ones (which, don’t get me wrong, I love), so I thought it would be cool to switch things up!

I got these Tombow dual brush pens for my birthday back in April, and they have quickly become some of my favorite art supplies. I’ve been using them like crazy to make cards, and they’ve come in handy just for coloring, writing, and everything in between!

I’ve seen so many people use these Crayola Supertips for their bullet journals, and now I understand why! The 50 pack was only around $10, and all of the colors are so pretty. I love the variation in them, and they’re really great for adding some color here and there throughout your journal. The lighter colors are also great for more subtle colors, too!

And of course, here’s the actual journal that I’m using! I’m so happy with this journal, the pages are thick, and it’s great that there’s already an index in the beginning. The pages are also already numbered, which is really convenient. I haven’t added anything to the cover yet, and I honestly I might just leave it black. I haven’t decided yet!
Alright, that’s that for all of my tips, how to start a journal, and all the supplies I’ve been using! You can watch the video I did on this topic right here! I go more in depth through my spreads, and talk about them a little bit more. Plus, it’s just nice to see a flip through.

I’m so glad I finally decided to start a bullet journal, and that I get to share what I’ve done in mine so far! I’m super excited to share monthly “plan with me” posts and videos, so be on the lookout for that. I actually am in the process of filming my August Plan with Me, which will hopefully be up in a couple of days.
I also decided to finally start a monthly newsletter, so if you want more updates from me, go ahead and put in your email at the top of my blog! I’m not sure when exactly I’m going to be sending those out, but I think it’ll be early in the month, or a couple of weeks in. This is all still new, so it’s a work in progress. Thanks for coming along with me, and thanks for reading a watching! 🙂
Do you have a bullet journal?

Have a great day! 🙂

This post contains affiliate links.

How to Succeed in College: Surviving Finals

You’ve probably noticed that I haven’t been posting very often, but I’ve been so busy with studying for finals – go figure. This quarter was one of the busiest I’ve had at the University of Washington, and because of that my blog and channel have suffered slightly. I’m going to have a busy summer as well but I’m trying to get a hold on my schedule early so I can keep up to date. I have a couple of weeks before I start to get super busy, so I’m going to be getting ahead of the game!

As you’re ending the term for your school, I’m sure the scariest part is all of the finals you have to take. It can be so daunting to study for multiple tests, and you’ll probably end up feeling like a zombie. I’ve done a post on how to survive finals, but I really wanted to do an updated one in the “How to Succeed in College” series, especially since I’ve been studying like crazy these last couple of weeks. So, here are my tips!

1. Write down when each and every one of your finals are.
This may seem super basic and obvious, but it’s a great place to start and keep coming back to. If you need reminders, write them on sticky notes and post them around your desk, or wherever you’ll see them a lot. This really does help – it’s so easy to get unorganized and lost while studying for finals, because you’re just focused on reviewing content.

2. Actually make study guides.
I remember doing this in high school was always so annoying, but it can be so useful in college. When you’re writing down all of the topics from your classes, you can get a feel for which ones you need to study more on, and which ones you know really well. It’s also great to have a reference that you can go over when you’re doing simple things like eating breakfast, or even walking to class (if you take a photo of it on your phone, which I highly recommend!).

3. Prioritize your time.
This can be with what you study for certain classes, as well as which finals you study the most for, and when you actually study for them. If you get a head start on studying for your finals that you have first, you’ll have more time to study for finals that come later in the week. It’s super difficult when you have multiple finals in a day, or one after the other, so it’s important to schedule time to study for each different class. I definitely struggled with this Freshman year, so it’s something that just takes a lot of practice and a lot of tests! Also, it really helps to have a planner to organize your time!

4. Block social media websites, and delete the apps if you get distracted easily.
I know a lot of people who actually block websites that they go to often, as well as delete apps on their phones so they don’t get distracted. This is a really great solution if you get side-tracked easily while studying, or you find yourself constantly checking your phone and computer. I personally don’t do this, but it does work well for a lot of people.

5. Change up where you study.
If you are getting tired of the scenery you’re studying in, try simply changing it up by going somewhere else. Getting bored of a certain location that you’re studying in can happen, so try studying in your room, other living spaces, different libraries, cafes, or other buildings around campus. If I’m feeling super burnt out for studying, it really does help me to go somewhere else. This really helps to keep your mind stimulated, and focus on studying!

6. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep.
“Sleep” and “finals” don’t often go together, but it’s important to try and get enough rest during the week. I’ve learned the hard way this quarter just how important sleep is; you end up doing better on tests, and you have more energy to finish up homework. It really does pay off to take the extra time to go to sleep early, or take a nap throughout the day so you can feel refreshed.

7. Make study groups with friends.
Studying with classmates can be really beneficial if you’re struggling in the class, and even when you know the content really well. Chances are you each will have stronger grasps on different parts of the class, so you can teach other in order to fill in those gaps. Also, when you are teaching someone else a concept, you end up really solidifying it in your head, which helps you out in the long run. It can also help to make you feel less alone and therefore less stressed, because you have others to talk to about the test!

8. Stay positive.
This might not seem too important, but it’s really easy to focus on the negatives during finals. If you find yourself really down, try and think of the positives, like being done with finals and relaxing! Spring quarter/term finals can be really tough because you’re thisclose to summer, and finals can feel like they’re absolutely dragging along. Just remember that this is the last step before summer, and that you really are close.

9. Listen to classical music to help you study, or any other study music that helps.
I find that listening to classical music, study music, and even soundtracks to movies (Harry Potter is my favorite choice, of course), really helps me stay focused. If I listen to music with lyrics I find myself just humming along to those, but if it’s instrumental music, I can better focus. This is especially useful if you’re in a busy or loud place, like a cafe, but you still want to sit there and study. It’s been proven that classical music helps, so definitely give it a try if you have trouble focusing! You can literally just search “study music” on YouTube, and they have videos that last for literal hours.

10. Take plenty of breaks.
It can be easy to just drone along and study for hours on end, but it’s really important to take small breaks every now and then. Bring along a book to the library to read, listen to your favorite music, take a nap, waste some time on the internet, talk to your friends – do whatever helps you take your mind off of studying. Don’t feel like you have to be constantly studying, because this can make you burn out really quickly. You’ll lose steam, and the studying you’re doing won’t actually be very productive. Make sure you’re scheduling in breaks!

Alright, there’s 10 tips on how to survive finals in college! Just remember that you’ll survive, and it’s alright if you don’t do well on a test – don’t be too hard on yourself! College really is a learning process, and I promise it gets easier.

What are your favorite ways to study?

Thank you so much for reading, and I hope you’re having a wonderful day! 🙂

NOT ALL PHOTOS ARE MINE.

How to Succeed in College: Balancing Work, Classes, and Fun

As I’m sure you know, I am a junior in college, and lately it feels like it’s flying by. This year I have felt a definite shift in how busy I am and the work load I have for classes; things are starting to get serious, and while it’s very scary, it’s also pretty exciting. I’m starting to figure out what I want in life, and I feel like I’m finally getting a feel for balancing my life with everything that is in it – classes, work, clubs, and a social life. Because of this, I thought it would be fun to do a whole series about it on my blog, especially since there are a lot of people starting to think about their first year in college in September!

For the first post I’ll be talking about how to balance your schedule, especially if you have a part-time job and want to have time for studying and having fun. It can be difficult, but it can definitely be done. Here’s a couple of tips on how to get done, and what I do to keep my schedule balanced!

1. Get a planner and write in it religiously.
I’m sure you’ve seen those people in your classes who whip out their planners anytime the professor mentions any sort of date, but let me tell you, those people are ahead of the game. During my junior year of high school I started using my planner more, and once I got to college I made it a point to write everything down in it, because it helped me figure out the times I would be working, studying, going to class, or hanging out with friends. It can be difficult to remember to write everything down in your planner, but once it becomes a habit, you won’t think twice about writing all your important dates down in it. I also like to sit down on Sunday or Monday and write down my work schedule and any other time commitments in my planner so I already have those dates in my head and I don’t forget anything. This also makes it a lot easier to figure out the free time I have to have fun!

2. Additionally, make a to-do list for the week in your planner, or another notebook.
Whether those involve homework goals, errands you have needed to run for weeks now, or groceries you need to buy, this is super helpful for getting things done. It can be so easy to forget to get tasks done in college because you’re extremely busy, but I find doing this helps to make sure I don’t accidentally miss a due date for a class, or get swamped in random things I’ve needed to get done for weeks. This is also great to write down anything you need to get done for work, or anything you can do in advance to help clear up your schedule later.

3. Dedicate a certain amount of time to each part of your life.
Blocking off time for things like studying, doing homework, or having fun can be extremely helpful for balancing all areas of your life. This helps break your life up into a routine that will get more and more natural over time, so you’re able to do all of the things that you want to do, while still getting the things you need to do, done. For me, I make sure I spend the time I have between classes doing homework, and if I don’t have any to do, I will usually call my parents to make sure they know I am alive and well. I also usually have a lot of time during work to study (it’s a campus job, so it’s more geared towards students, which is really nice!), so I know that I’ll get a lot of that done during my shifts throughout the week. After work I give myself some de-stressing time, and will usually watch something like Friends or Parks and Rec – something that doesn’t need a lot of attention. It’s so important to give yourself these structured times to get things done, that way you know you’ll have time to give yourself a break both mentally and physically.

4. If you’re looking to get a job, try and find a campus job.
Getting a campus job is super helpful for students, because oftentimes your boss understands that sometimes you’ll have to have a shift covered due to class conflicts, midterms, or just needing more time for studying. My boss gives us all dead week off in order to have ample time to study, and so we don’t have to worry about devoting too much time to work rather than doing homework and such. This really helps alleviate stress during a usually high-stress time, and it’s great to be surrounded by other students who also understand, and can cover a shift when you need it. Also with campus jobs, usually you have lots of time to do homework and study during the shifts, because they’re usually desk jobs, secretary work, or front desk/welcoming positions. This makes it easy to get two things done at once – you’re able to work and earn money while also getting work done for classes.

5. Communicate your class schedule to your boss clearly and early – school comes first!
Around the time of registration, my boss asks for all of the class schedules of the student employees in order to make sure there are no time conflicts. She understands that school comes first for all of us, so she wants to help us have the time to not only have time for classes, but work and still be able to finish all of our homework. It’s really important to communicate to your boss the time that you know you will not be able to work, rather than telling him or her later on that you can’t come in for a shift. No one likes it when a person cancels suddenly, because all of your coworkers have to scramble in order to get the shift covered, and there isn’t always someone who can cover the shift. If you have any other time commitments, like club meetings, make sure to also tell your boss so you know you’ll be able to go to those.

6. Hold yourself accountable.
Don’t slack off on homework time, or sacrifice it constantly for hanging out with friends. Yes, being social is important for your mental health, but if you find yourself always having fun and slacking off on classes, you have a problem. It’s important to always put school first because you’re there to get an education, and are most likely paying a lot of money for it. If you want to spend more time with friends but still get work done, you can have study dates, go to the library with friends, hang out at a coffee shop while studying, or hang out at one another’s houses/apartments in order to do homework together. Doing this can actually motivate you to actually do homework, especially if you’re surrounded by people who are getting work done as well.


7. But also understand that sometimes you just need a break.
At the end of the day, it’s really important to check in with yourself and see how you’re doing. If you feel like you’re absolutely drowning in tasks, or are feeling extremely overwhelmed take a break. This can be hard to do when you’re super busy, but it can make you feel better mentally and physically, so in the long run it’s highly beneficial. When you feel good, you can do good. Take a nap, take a bath, read a good book, or watch some Netflix in order to de-stress; give yourself the time you need to recuperate, so that you’re able to go back and tackle homework and other tasks with full energy.

Alright, those are my tips on how to balance your work, classes, and fun! It’s important to do this to stay both happy and healthy, but it can be so hard in college. I hope these tips helped, and that you’re able to figure your schedule out!

How do you balance your life?

Thank you so much for reading, and have a wonderful day! 🙂

6 Ways to Stay Out of the January Slump!

I was sitting in class today and realized that it’s already week four of my university’s quarter. Being on the quarter system means that everything moves so quickly, but the fact that it’s already week four is so scary. Surprisingly, I have found myself to be really motivated this term, which can be hard during winter quarter since it starts out in January, the low point after the high of the holiday season. I’m actually really enjoying my classes so far, so that’s probably a huge part of it.

Every year, though, it seems like I find it harder to stay organized and motivated as January is coming to an end. The month starts out great after relaxing during the holidays, and you feel the freshness of the new year. Towards the end of the month, however, you start to feel yourself tire out from all of the hard work of staying motivated, and it’s super easy to fall into the trap of letting yourself slide back into old habits, and not stay as organized. I hope that isn’t happening for you, but if it is, I thought I would put together a little guide on how to stay out of the “January Slump,” or get out of it if you find yourself there!
1. Exercise at least 3-5 times a week, or make sure to move a little extra each day.
I find that when I stick to my exercise routine, I’m more motivated in the rest of my life. Getting tasks done is easier because I have more energy, and the endorphins from working out really do help. If exercising isn’t really your thing, that’s totally fine! Do lighter activities like stretching-based yoga, walking, biking, or light swimming. You can even just make sure that you stand up throughout the day if you’re stuck at a desk, and do some simple stretches. This helps your blood to keep flowing, which is what you want in order to stay energized and motivated.
2. Fuel your body with healthy foods.
After the holidays, it’s easy to crave healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, but after a couple of weeks of an especially green diet, your body can go back to wanting sweet things. Moderation is key here, and it’s important to not slack off and fill your body with junk again. Sure, you can definitely have a small bowl of ice cream a couple of times a week, but make sure you’re giving your body lots of healthy food to keep energy levels high! There’s so many healthy recipes out there that are also really yummy, so if you need some inspiration, go to Pinterest! Macro-bowls are a huge trend right now, and they’re so great because not only are they super healthy and filled with great nutritional value, but they’re also really hearty and use things like sweet potatoes, brown rice, and quinoa to fill you up.
3. Make sure to use your planner.
This is a great tip if you’re in school, and tend to forget about assignments as soon as you leave the classroom (ahem, I’m pointing a big finger at myself on this one). Whenever my professors or TA’s mention an assignment in class, I make a point to take out my planner and write it down then and there. This gives me no excuse to forget about it later, and helps me get everything done on time. I also like to write down any big assignments I know will be due throughout the quarter, like huge papers, at the beginning of the term, so I have a heads up weeks in advance.
4. Write down your goals for every week.
I got into the habit of doing this last year, and it helps so much. I didn’t know how useful it would be, but it forces me to look at the week in a more wholesome way, and helps me get into the mindset of getting tasks done. Creating little boxes to tick off is also a super easy way to motivate yourself if you’re anything like me, because the satisfaction of marking something off is ridiculously pleasing. Doing this in the beginning of the week is also a really great way to start it out by knowing the things you need to get done, so you aren’t rushed on Friday trying to scramble a ton of assignments and other miscellaneous tasks together.
5. Change up your living space.
This can be as simple as moving your bed into a different part of your room, or putting up some new artwork on the walls. Changing up the spaces your in everyday and see multiple times a day can be a really great way to inspire yourself. I don’t know what it is about moving things around, but I’m always so satisfied afterwards. It keeps my creative juices flowing and motivates me to get other things done in my life. It’s also exciting to come home to a different space, and see how it inspires you in different ways.
6. Clean and organize your living space.
This sounds stupidly simple, but cleaning up your space can de-stress and motivate yourself at the same time. Whenever I’m super stressed and feel like I’m in a slump, cleaning perks me up and motivates me to get other tasks done. There’s just something super refreshing about cleaning up your living space that motivates you in other aspects of your life. I also just feel better when I know my apartment is clean, and it’s super relaxing to come home and be able to unwind in an organized space. Maybe I’m just crazy, but cleaning is one of the best forms of therapy for me.
Alright, well there are six different ways of staying out of the January slump, and how to motivate yourself if you’re already there! Now that I’m thinking about it, I’m definitely going to go and clean my bathroom and organize my desk, which will hopefully motivate me to get all of my class readings done for the week…
How do you stay motivated?

Thank you so much for reading, and have a wonderful day! 🙂

How To: Pack For College!

I hope you are having or have had a great Labor Day! With Labor Day Weekend almost over, back to school season is here, and I’m sure many of you are already at school or are getting ready to be. My university doesn’t start until the 28th of September, so I still have a couple of weeks to go, but there’s still so much to get ready! I remember how overwhelmed I felt the summer before my freshman year, because I had no idea what to pack, or if I was forgetting anything. Because of that, I ended up making a huge master list of things that I would need, after hours of looking at lists on Pinterest. I don’t know why I never thought of putting it on my blog to share with college freshmen faced with the same problem I had, but alas here we are and I have finally made one. The list is broke up into sections – my favorite ways to make lists – and there is a box to add anything extra you think you’ll need. Without further ado, here it is!

You can also access the pdf here so it’s more easily printed!

Since I’ll be living in my own apartment this year (eeeek!) I have a list made for that, and it’s pretty similar to this one, so it’s been nice to have a refresher. I’ll be posting about what I’ve gotten for my apartment, and of course I’ll be having an apartment tour! I am so excited to decorate, I can’t even explain. Now that I’m home from Europe my mind is definitely stuck on getting back to school and decorating for my apartment, so be ready for tons of posts about that! Anyway, I really hope this list was helpful and that many of you will be able to use it!

Are you excited to go back to school?

Thank you so much for reading, and have a wonderful day! 🙂

5 Ways to Stay Organized in College

If you’re anything like me, organization is key to success in school. It took me a little while to figure out how to stay organized in college, so I thought it would be nice to share my tips on how to keep up with your crazy schedule while in school!

1. Have a planner, and actually use it

I have really been loving my Lilly Pulitzer planner!


Writing your schedule down in a planner is the number one tip I could give you about staying organized. It’s so important to keep all of your important dates in one place, and to write down what you’ll be doing for the coming week. I like mapping out my schedule on Sunday evenings, just so I have a rough idea of what my week will look like. You of course don’t have to put every tiny detail in for the week when you aren’t too sure quite yet, but it’ll help to have an idea of how you’re week is going to go. Plus, it’ll be easier planning things during the week because you already kind of know what you are doing each day.
Using a planner to write down assignment due dates is also very important. As soon as you get your syllabus in the beginning of the term, write down all of the huge due dates for each of your classes because your professors will most likely only remind you the week before an assignment is due. It’s definitely your job now to keep track of due dates and to keep yourself accountable for everything. Plus, you can get a super cute planner from brands like Lilly Pulitzer, Kate Spade, Ban.do….the list goes on and on! Target also has some really cute ones that won’t break your bank.


2. Keep a journal


I like to keep a journal to write down my goals – whether they are my yearly, monthly, or weekly goals, it really helps to keep me on track! I also love to write out organized to-do lists that are more longterm, and focused on my more creative projects. So lists pertaining to blog posts, video ideas, writing ideas, and other creative projects! This helps to keep my brain organized, if that makes any sense. Sometimes it feels like I get so overwhelmed with homework and tests, that I just have ideas swimming around and nowhere to put them! I decided to just write them all down in a journal, and that helped so much. It really helps to give you a creative outlet as well!

3. Use sticky notes

I am seriously a sticky note addict. Honestly, I probably over-use them, but it helps to remind me of important dates, or things that I need to do the next day. When you are finally going to sleep after a long night of homework, it’s so easy to forget things the next morning. I like to hang sticky notes on my desk, or put them on my laptop to remind myself to get important things done, or remember to bring the homework I just finished to class the next day. I know, that sounds crazy, but when you are an exhausted college kid, it’s easy to forget to print assignments, or just leave them in your dorm altogether! Sticky notes are really the best, and should not be underestimated in their importance on your college shopping list.

4. Set phone reminders

This is essentially the digital version of sticky notes, but they can be carried around with you, and remind you of things at certain times!  Phone reminders are really great for appointments that you might forget about during the day if you’re super busy. You also most likely always have your phone with you, so you can easily set a reminder when you’re out and about and need a digital sticky note pronto. I personally like sticky notes better because I like physical reminders, but phone reminders definitely have their uses too!

5. Schedule free time and homework time

This goes along with scheduling your week, but having dedicated and consistent time where you are doing homework or taking a break is really helpful for staying sane. I like to get to work on assignments right after I get back from classes, so I can have free time later at night, and not be worried about homework while I eat dinner. Getting to bed early is also a really good idea in college, so getting your homework done right after classes helps you get enough sleep too.

Well, there you have it! Those are my five tips to staying organized in college. If you are going to be a freshman next year, don’t get scared about how crazy your schedule will be! You will find a balance after a couple of weeks of trial and error, and pretty soon you’ll be a college pro!

I made a video about this on my channel as well, so give it a look!

Do you like to use planners?

Thank you so much for reading, and have a wonderful day!